Jaco set for Sun City joyride
Ahlers wins Cape Town Open to book coveted spot in Nedbank classic
JACO AHLERS said he “aged years” in the four extra trips he took down the 18th hole at Royal Cape Golf Club yesterday before he could lift the Lion of Africa Cape Town Open title following a three-way play-off.
“I can’t describe how happy I am right now,” said an emotional Ahlers. “I’ve come so close so many times in the last five years, but I never thought I would have to work so hard for a win.
“This is life-changing for me. I turned 32 last week, but right now, I feel about 40 years old. But it’s a happy 40.”
The Centurion golfer fired a four-under-par 68 to set the early clubhouse target at 12-under 276. Englishman Ross McGowan matched his 68 and his total and the play-off party grew to three after joint overnight leader Hennie Otto rolled in a 35-foot pressure putt for birdie at the last and a final round of even par 72.
Otto made bogey during the first extra trip down the 352m, par-4 18th which eliminated him as McGowan and Ahlers both parred. The pair went down the 18th twice more, but the deadlock continued. On the fourth tour down the 18th, McGowan hit his approach to the open side of the green, while Ahlers attacked the flag with a wedge out of the semi-rough and hit it to 10 feet. McGowan left his birdie putt at the third play-off hole in the jaws and, putting from the same spot, his fourth effort slipped just past the hole.
Facing his best opportunity yet, Ahlers had the distance and line, but didn’t hit the putt hard enough and it just stayed out. He tapped in for par, and was getting ready for another trip back to the 18th tee when McGowan’s short par putt – only a couple of feet – horseshoed out.
His opponent’s bogey means Ahlers claims the biggest victory of his career.
He was well off the pace with an opening 71, but battled his way into contention with subsequent rounds of 69 and 68 and started the final round four behind 54-hole pacesetters Otto and Danie van Tonder. “It’s been a very long year, but I just kept trying,” Ahlers said. “Now I’m going to Sun City (for the Nedbank Golf Challenge). What a birthday present! That is a life-long dream come true. I have to give Ross and Hennie credit, though. We all got into the play-off because we played great golf, but I’m sorry boys; I’m going to enjoy this one.”
The Cape Town Open winner completes the 30-man line-up for the Nedbank beginning on Thursday. Frenchman Victor Victor Dubuisson is out of the event because of a back injury and is replaced by American Brendon Todd who won this year’s Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour.